Egglescliffe School teachers take on Yorkshire Dales in aid of Oxfam

Staff from Egglescliffe School in Eaglescliffe who took part in the Trail Trecker 2013 walk

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You may forgive these four teachers for taking some much-needed relaxation during half-term.

But instead the quartet from Egglescliffe School in Eaglescliffe trekked 100km across the Yorkshire Dales in aid of Oxfam.

English teacher Joe Craven, history teachers Andy Scaife and Helen Ward and PE teacher Rachael Masterman took part in the 30-hours’ challenge.

Joe, 32, from Yarm, Andy, 34, from Stockton, Rachael, 26, from Richmond and Helen, 37, from Cockfield, set themselves a target of £1,400 but have already raised £1,800 with more donations still coming in.

As part of their training, the team did the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge last month .

“We trained for the challenge - going out running and doing the Three Peaks,” said Joe.

The team had hoped to complete the challenge in 24 hours but finished the Oxfam trek in 27 hours and 22 minutes which included time for refilling at water stops and brief breaks for food.

“The weather was absolutely flawless - bright sunshine with just enough cloud cover that we didn’t bake on the way round,” added Joe.

“Three of the team - me, Andy and Helen - completed the whole 100km, while Rachael had to pull out after about 80km due to severe blisters all over her feet. She had about 16 of them, which was why the medic recommended that she not continue.

“As a result, we now have three gold medals and one silver, and were placed at 250, 251 and 252 out of the 1,400 or so people taking part.

“Some of the team are now considering entering it again for next year and going for a faster time! I’m fairly sure we could get it down below the 23 hours mark, or possibly running the first 40km of it instead.”

The Oxfam Trailtrekker 2013 is a 100km trek for teams of four over 30 hours across the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Around 300 teams take part in the fundraising event every year.

The Egglescliffe teachers also had a support team comprising teachers, teaching assistants and technicians, led by deputy head teacher, Mike Henderson.

“To be honest it seemed like a crazy thing to do,” added Joe.

“It seemed like a proper challenge, something we could work and train towards and something meaningful.

“The school is right behind us and we held a fundraising day to get us started. Everyone - pupils and staff - could pay ï¿½1 to wear their trainers for one day and we had cake stalls as well.

“The pupils were quite excited about it - and quite incredulous too.

“There was also a staffroom sweepstake to see if we would all complete it and who would finish first.”